A classic among classics. This is the stuff of which (English) legends are made. Unassuming, the opposite of brash, reliable, trustworthy, good for the long haul, friendly, cheerful, and agreeable with an array of foods.

Essentially, this beer is akin to how the English would like to think of themselves as a people.

It definitely has that peculiar Yorkshire-water minerality -- which, as Garrett Oliver (and others) will tell you, is highly prized by the local beer aficionados. After all, Tadcaster sits atop a limestone-rich water table. It's a bit weird, but I can see why. It lends a certain mineral-water refreshingness to the brew, to be sure.

A lovely copper-brown color with the trademark elusively thin English head. The nose is slight, but the careful taster will be patient with it and be rewarded with rich caramel, roasted malt, hay, and subdued yet holding-their-own hops. On the tongue, the mineral quality shows up, along with a nice ale-style fruitiness (not too strong) and pleasant malt roundness. The palate is dry, crisp, and the paragon of refreshing. One could, even at 5% ABV, drink it all night.

The color was a medium to dark brown that looked gorgeous in the glass. It had a small 1 finger head that made the beer even more appealing.

The beer smelled fresh, and nutty (mixed nuts). Overall very pleasant and mild in odor.

The taste is incredible. A delicious nut brown ale that is light, and veyr clean. A different variety of nutty flavors compliment the brew. The last sip tastes as good as the first.

The mouthfeel is soft as silk. The light carbonation beautifully plays on the tongue. As previously mentioned, the light feeling leaves your mouth refreshed.

This beer is very drinkable. The delicious texture, lightness, and complex flavors all work towards a wonderful beer drinking experience. Easy to sit down and have one or the entire four pack.

Final Thoughts - Samuel Smith is authentic, and the Nut Brown Ale works on a variety of levels. The taste is top notch, and an example for all other nut browns. A little on the pricey side for a four pack, but worth every penny. Enjoy!

I have very mixed feelings approaching this brew again. For one, when I first came of legal drinking age, this was the first brown ale that I enjoyed. And for me, that really means something when it comes to this underappreciated style. 'Brown'. Certainly doesn't sound appealing as a descriptive adjective. Sounds more like an adjective appropriate for describing feces! Oh how its name has doomed it to neglect! Oh how its glorious balance of flavors has determined itself to be forgotten in place of the dominant american IPA! Somehow I find the best of these ales unbelievably delicious and drinkable. And with a bit of trepidation I cautiously proceed onwards to my review...
Appearance: Compared to good ole Newkie, this beer really shines. It has nearly the exact same hue (light brown/amber, wholly transparent), but it generated and maintained head much better than its paradigm. There was also some moderate lacing on the glass. Took quite a while to dissipate.
Smell: Caramel/toffee sweetness, and buttery aroma (diacetyl no doubt). The light diacetyl is not unwelcome to me: I invite it with open arms to the care of my olfactory senses.
Taste: The key to this beer is balance. Where Newkie brown fails, this beer succeeds. The flavor opens up with some very mild bitterness, balanced between the hops and the light roastiness of the chocolate malt. Also some mild fruitiness from the esters. Here, the bitterness of both elements lingers more and balances the light toffee and nutty flavors.
Mouthfeel: The beer is medium bodied with some fairly mild carbonation appropriate to the style. This is what I think of when I think of 'brown'! If the mouthfeel is not perfection then it's damn near close to it!
Drinkability: As I've written before, the key to browns is balance. Here the sum is greater than all the parts. The result is a very drinkable northern brown ale: not too hoppy, not to sweet. Not too nutty, not too thick. Just right. Yeah.

Man, this is the epitome of what a good Nut Brown Ale should be. Poured out to a brown color with a nice 1/3 inch head. No lacing in the glass. Medium-low carbonation. Aromas of roasted nuts, grain, toasted malt and molassas. Taste was similar to the aroma, with a few unexpected flavors. Complexity is abound; flavors of nuts, hops, mild malts and a touch of butterscotch sweetness. Great aftertaste of bitterness and sweetness. Mouthfeel was good, but couldn've been a bit thicker. Nonetheless very nice all around. High drinkability. I will be seeing more of this beer. Recommended.